Plasma TV: Reviews

Updated December 2008

February 12th:
Pioneer, Vizio to end plasma TV production
From: PC Magazine

Compare All

Best 58-inch big-screen plasma TV

*Est. $2,750 Compare Prices

Though Pioneer KURO plasma TVs are tops when it comes to black levels, this THX-certified Panasonic TV comes so close most viewers won't notice the difference. In addition, color accuracy, shadow detail and screen… uniformity rank among the best. Important features include a THX Movie mode that delivers an accurate picture without professional calibration. For those with less wall space, the TV is also available in smaller screen sizes, including 50, 46 and 42 inches.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

Expert & User Review Sources:

CNet.com: CNet has the only professional review we've seen for the 58-inch Panasonic VIERA TH-58PZ800U, but the report is comprehensive and ...

AVSForum.com: Though additional discussion can be found elsewhere at AVSForum.com, this dedicated thread is a great source for owner feedback, ...

Amazon.com: A small handful of user reviews for the Panasonic VIERA TH-58PZ800U can be read here. Some are brief, some are helpfully ...

Sound & Vision Magazine: Sound & Vision reviews the Panasonic VIERA TH-50PZ800U, the smaller line mate of the Panasonic VIERA TH-58PZ800U. The report ...

Ultimate AV Magazine: While this report covers the smaller 50-inch Panasonic VIERA TH-50PZ800U rather than the 58-inch TH-58PZ800U, it is noteworthy ...

ConsumerReports.org: Consumer Reports also only covers the smaller 50-inch Panasonic VIERA TH-50PZ800U in its latest update. In all, 25 models in ...

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Abt Electronics & Applian

Best 50-inch plasma TV, but expensive

Pioneer KURO PDP-5020FD

*Est. $2,500 Compare Prices

Although it's more expensive than some competing 50-inch plasma sets, reviewers say the Pioneer KURO PDP-5020FD is the best if you want the most cinematic image quality. Reviewers say colors are rich and well-saturated,… with great black levels -- some say they are the best black levels of any flat-panel TV. The Pioneer TV is also packed with features, and an anti-glare screen coating helps reduce shine. The big downside is cost compared to others. The TV is also available in a 60-inch version.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

Expert & User Review Sources:

CNet.com: CNet.com reviews the Pioneer KURO PDP-5020FD at a time when street prices were higher, leading David Katzmaier to wonder if the ...

PCMag.com: While this report is not quite as detailed as the one at CNet, most important points are covered and clear conclusions are ...

Home Theater Magazine: Home Theater magazine does not review the Pioneer KURO PDP-5020FD but does report on the 60-inch Pioneer KURO PDP-6020FD, which ...

ConsumerReports.org: While Consumer Reports does not report on the Pioneer KURO PDP-5020FD, the 60-inch PDP-6020FD is included in its latest survey of ...

Amazon.com: Owner reviews like the ones at Amazon.com are variable in quality and usefulness, but taken together can paint a clear picture of ...

AVSForum.com: Pioneer's ninth generation plasma displays, including the 50-inch KURO PDP-5020FD get lots of discussion here. An owners' thread ...

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Amazon Marketplace

for $3,999.99

Best value, 50-inch plasma HDTV

Samsung PN50A550

*Est. $1,450 Compare Prices

Top-rated Pioneer and Panasonic plasma TVs have slightly deeper blacks, but when picture quality on a whole is considered, experts and users point to the Samsung PN50A550 as a great blend of image quality and value.… Colors are spot-on accurate, and video processing is better than most. Shadow detail is also terrific. Like most plasma TVs, the Samsung PN50A550 has a reflective screen, but reports say that glare is worse than most, which could pose a problem in bright rooms. The TV is also available in a 58-inch screen size.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

Expert & User Review Sources:

CNet.com: The Samsung PN50A550's highly accurate color and superior video processing propel it to the top, David Katzmaier says, despite ...

BestBuy.com: In more than two dozen owner-written reviews, the Samsung PN50A550 garners very high composite scores here. While the picture ...

Amazon.com: Although there are not many reviews of the Samsung PN50A550 at Amazon.com, some owners have written fairly lengthy comments. ...

About.com: Robert Silva, About.com's home theater guide, includes the Samsung PN50A550 on this list of favorite plasma TVs. He praises this ...

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Best 42-inch plasma HDTV

Panasonic VIERA TH-42PX80U

*Est. $730 Compare Prices

Among 42-inch plasma TVs, the Panasonic VIERA is an excellent value, balancing picture quality and price. The resolution is 720p -- and while that falls short of the 1080p resolution offered by more expensive plasma TVs,… most experts say that viewers won't really notice in this screen size. Picture quality can't equal that of Pioneer KURO plasma TVs, but is solid overall, led by outstanding black levels, and the Panasonic TV costs much less. The TV is also offered in a 50-inch screen size.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

Expert & User Review Sources:

CNet.com: Professional reviewer David Katzmaier says the Panasonic VIERA TH-42PX80U is an "all-around superb value." Katzmaier notes some ...

BestBuy.com: The picture quality of the Panasonic VIERA TH-42PX80U draws raves from most of the owners who have reviewed this plasma TV at ...

Amazon.com: At Amazon.com, a few dozen owners have posted about the Panasonic VIERA TH-42PX80U, some going into considerable detail. One ...

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Amazon Marketplace

for $2,499.99

32-inch plasma TV

Vizio VP322

*Est. $480 Compare Prices

Those who want a smaller set are generally limited to LCD TVs, but the 32-inch Vizio VP322 is plasma, and it costs less. No one will confuse picture quality with that of a Pioneer or Panasonic, but it is not bad in its… own right, especially for the money. Vizio TVs can be harder to find than some others, but the VP322 is available from Wal-Mart and Costco. A 42-inch version is also available.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

Expert & User Review Sources:

Big Picture Big Sound.com: The Vizio VP322 undergoes extensive bench and real-world testing in this comprehensive review. Chris Boylan says that not much ...

CNet.com: CNet.com's Kevin Miller is not as impressed with the Vizio VP322 as some other reviewers. However, he also indicates that picture ...

ConsumerReports.org: Consumer Reports includes the Vizio VP322 in its latest round of tests of plasma TVs. Testing is balanced, but discussion falls ...

AVSForum.com: The Vizio VP322 has spurred a thread with over 1,200 posts on this user discussion site, including several reviews by owners as ...

Walmart.com: You can find more than 200 owner-written reviews and ratings of the Vizio VP322 plasma TV here. Not everyone is completely ...

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Buy from
eBay

(check price)

Samsung PN50A650 *Est. $1,675

3 picks by top review sites.

Panasonic VIERA TH-50PZ800U *Est. $2,050

3 picks by top review sites.

Pioneer Elite KURO PRO-111FD *Est. $5,000

3 picks by top review sites.

Panasonic Viera TH-42PZ800U *Est. $1,680

2 picks by top review sites.

Pioneer KURO PDP-6020FD *Est. $3,900

2 picks by top review sites.


	Samsung PN50A650 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV with RED Touch of Color from Amazon.com New: $1237.99 Average Customer Review:


	Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ800U 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV from Amazon.com New: $2061.99 Average Customer Review:


	Pioneer PRO 111FD - 50" Elite KURO plasma TV with built-in network media player - widescreen - 1080p (FullHD) - HDTV from Amazon.com New: $3249.00 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Panasonic Viera TH-42PZ800U 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV from Amazon.com Average Customer Review:


	Pioneer PDP-6020FD 60-Inch Class KURO Plasma HDTV from Amazon.com New: $3698.00 In Stock. Average Customer Review:

Plasma TV: Reviews

Best 58-inch big-screen plasma TV

Best 50-inch plasma TV, but expensive

Best value, 50-inch plasma HDTV

Best 42-inch plasma HDTV

32-inch plasma TV

Plasma TV by Price Range